Also, if you do the cabins, there are a lot of activities there that we didn't really do b/c we didn't have time -- too busy going to the theme parks. Set aside some time to do the cabin stuff, if you can.

I think the cabins are cute, though correct, they're not exactly cheap and they're not especially luxurious. I like the campground feel, and many kids will like that as well. Good option for families who wouldn't fit in one hotel room.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely don't do the Cabins. That's not Wilderness Lodge.

Also, on the swimming -- Florida weather is hit or miss during February. We've had trips where we swam in January, but other trips where it was too cold. The outdoor pools are heated, fwiw.

Make sure you check which parks have extra magic hours in the morning (not night) on which days before you book your fast passes so you make sure you're in the right park on the right day.

No love for the Cabins? We stayed there and loved it, especially the full kitchen. Other pros: boat to Magic Kingdom, good food, HDDR, Chip and Dale, lot's of nature, golf carts. Cons: spread out and you have to take the internal bus system, it's a campground.

We also rented DVC points and stayed at AKL. Loved it! But I think a car is necessary.

Holy crap - here I was thinking a cabin might be a lesser expensive option. The website says "starts at 406 a night". Yikes.

Anonymous wrote:Definitely don't do the Cabins. That's not Wilderness Lodge.

Also, on the swimming -- Florida weather is hit or miss during February. We've had trips where we swam in January, but other trips where it was too cold. The outdoor pools are heated, fwiw.

Make sure you check which parks have extra magic hours in the morning (not night) on which days before you book your fast passes so you make sure you're in the right park on the right day.

No love for the Cabins? We stayed there and loved it, especially the full kitchen. Other pros: boat to Magic Kingdom, good food, HDDR, Chip and Dale, lot's of nature, golf carts. Cons: spread out and you have to take the internal bus system, it's a campground.

We also rented DVC points and stayed at AKL. Loved it! But I think a car is necessary.

Anonymous wrote:Definitely stay on site. Don't pick one you have to take a bus to. Walking or boat or monorail only. Trust us on this. It's worth it and adds to the experience while lessening the stress.
I think as long as it meets the above criteria, any is fine, pick one in your budget.

We just went to Disney last month and stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter which requires a bus ride to all the parks. I didn't find the buses to be a problem at all. They came very frequently, the distances weren't long, and they weren't crowded. So I wouldn't worry about being a hotel that doesn't have a boat or monorail access.

We always stay at the Swan, which is on property but not owned by Disney, so much cheaper for a comparable room. You can walk to Epcot easily or take a boat ride (fun for the kids) to Epcot or HS, and a short bus ride to MK and AK. You also get extra magic hours (though beware that those are a mixed bag, as the crowds are way higher at a park the day it has extra magic hours...sometimes better to go to a park that doesn't have them that day bc lines will be shorter). The only thing you don't get is the express bus from the airport, but we have found that the cost of a taxi plus the lower cost of the hotel is still more cost effective than staying at a Disney owned resort. Our kids love the Swan.

Anonymous wrote:Definitely stay on site. Don't pick one you have to take a bus to. Walking or boat or monorail only. Trust us on this. It's worth it and adds to the experience while lessening the stress.
I think as long as it meets the above criteria, any is fine, pick one in your budget.

There is NO hotel where you can access all four parks by those methods.

And the ones that access at least ONE park by those methods, are all in the higher price range. For MANY Disney visitors, none of those hotels would be in their budget.

Art of Animation, Nemo Suite. AMAZING value and plenty of room for me and DH plus 3 kids.
Order grocery delivery and eat breakfast int he room, plus pack snacks for the park.
The pools there are awesome.
Easy bus ride back and forth.

Guys, OP has already posted the hotels that were available and that she picked AKL.

Definitely stay on site. Don't pick one you have to take a bus to. Walking or boat or monorail only. Trust us on this. It's worth it and adds to the experience while lessening the stress.
I think as long as it meets the above criteria, any is fine, pick one in your budget.

I am very intrigued by all of the suggestions for Animal Kingdom Lodge. I stayed there once because we got a good deal, but it was SO remote and the animals are't as omnipresent as one would think. If you are going with kids, I would stay near the Magic Kingdom (try Wilderness Lodge..it is cheaper than the monorail hotels) or one of the hotels that are in between Epcot and Hollywood Studios so you can walk to two parks.

Animal kingdom. Your husband and you can have wine on the balcony watching giraffes and such while the kids sleep

OP 100% stay on property. It is worth it because of the perks like early fast pass and dining reservations access, transportation, not needing a car, being able to send your purchaces to the room etc.

OP can you tell us what hotels are available for when you are going?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The only MK area resort with availability on our dates was Grand Floridian at over $500 per room per night. I'm sure it's lovely, but it's not worth over $1000 a day to us. So I'm taking the PP's advice that once you're far enough away to have to take a bus, it's all pretty much the same.

I think given the age of your kids, they will enjoy staying at Animal Kingdom. You will quickly get tired of the buses everywhere, though. So, if you plan to return sometime in the future, plan to stay at the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian.
--Signed, Disney visitor almost every year for the past 35+ years

I love AKL but the buses are a pain. We stayed there on our second visit where we just wanted to chill and only go to MK one day. The first time we stayed at Bay Lake Tower which was great because of the location and monorail

We rented a condo at Windsor Hills. It was great - affordable and really close to the parks. But you will need to rent a car.